Darka Dusty - Vocals - A Ukrainian-lyric version of Henry Mancini's "It Had Better Be Tonight" sung by Darka Dusty, along with her former musical partner Slavko. Together, “Darka & Slavko” traveled to Europe several times, winning “Best International Band” honors at the first non-Soviet Ukrainian Pop Music Festival. In this live version of the song, they are joined by George Hrab on drums, Greg August on bass and John Stetch on piano.

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A Ukrainian-lyric version of Henry Mancini's "It Had Better Be Tonight" sung by Darka Dusty, along with her former musical partner Slavko. Together, “Darka & Slavko” traveled to Europe several times, winning “Best International Band” honors at the first non-Soviet Ukrainian Pop Music Festival. In this live version of the song, they are joined by George Hrab on drums, Greg August on bass and John Stetch on piano.

I couldn't see the keys when I began to play. I remember it well. Reaching up to touch the keys... I played a song my mother sang to me. I guess I'd have been about two years old. I've been playing and singing since I was a tot. I can't remember a time when music wasn't in my life in a big way.

Playing and singing with my mother and sister was a blast. I remember singing 3-part harmony when I was but a tot. I used to sing at the top of my lungs to Linda Rondstadt ("You're No Good" and "That'll be the Day") and Queen records (Night at the Opera ... Bohemian Rhapsody specifically). Also, going to Ukrainian scout summer camps, I loved singing songs by the campfire.

Are you in a band? Have you been in bands?

I used to be a Ukrainian recording artist and toured with my former partner. We were called "Darka & Slavko" and won Best International Band at the first non-Soviet Ukrainian music festival. I am now in a band with my partner Miri. He toured with loads of bands in England, including The Ukrainians. We are writing new songs and gigging as "Mammoth in Space." As I type this, Miri's in the other room laying down a bass line to a new disco tune. In the last year I've also become involved with a group of women musicians under the name "The Vulva Underground" whose goal is to showcase the incredible talent of female musical artists in Portland.

If you could jam with anyone, who would it be?

I'd kill to sing harmony with kd Lang. I'd love to collaborate with Elvis Costello. I'd loved to have witnessed that kid drummer from Santana at Woodstock in 1969.

What's the biggest audience you ever performed to? What's the smallest?

I've performed to thousands of people in arenas and tiny living room performances. One nice memory I have ... I got to perform live on Radio Liberty which was broadcast to Ukraine before it declared its independence.. that was cool.

You're stuck on a desert island and only get to bring one album with you. What do you pick?

Five Leaves Left by Nick Drake
Heard it first in October 1996.
It defies classification. It's haunting. It's beautiful. Melody and lyrics hit you on so many levels.